Hearing loss decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is due, in part, to service-related acoustic trauma and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, left ear hearing loss, and low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hearing loss does not meet the threshold levels to be considered a disability as defined by VA regulation. The preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of right foot surgery, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied as there is no credible evidence showing that he underwent such surgeries during service or at any time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have insomnia or bronchitis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), hearing loss, tinnitus, a groin disorder, and bilateral foot disability are remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 28, 2004 for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for tinnitus. The earlier effective date is based on liberalizing regulations that became effective in 1999.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The claims are related to service connection, disability evaluations, and functional effects of his hearing loss, sinusitis, and nasal defect.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of a right knee injury, including degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss of the right ear has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service noise exposure and current tinnitus, warranting service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus of the right ear has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for proptosis, bilateral hearing loss, constipation, and a disability exhibited by insomnia, sleeping problems, or breathing problems have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities in these areas.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his service connection claim for a low back condition is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision is based on a lack of current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and therefore, his surviving spouse is not entitled to service connection for the cause of his death.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is incurred during active duty service and affords the benefit of doubt to the claim, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea and generalized anxiety disorder, do not meet the threshold requirements for a TDIU as they are rated at 50% and 30%, respectively. The combined rating is 80%. However, he has been unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of evidence meeting VA criteria for a current disability, while the claim for the lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and right peripheral vestibular hypofunction prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, as of March 22, 2005.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, resulting in its denial.